Posts Tagged With: female roles

I come from a conservative denomination. By conservative I mean what is typically thought when that term is used. “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it” was a saying I often heard growing up. Our denomination was founded by men who coined slogans like “We are just Christians” and “We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent.” We didn’t dance, drink, smoke or chew, and certainly didn’t go with girls who do. At summer camp the boys swam separate from the girls. The college I attended, that is associated with the same denomination, has recently been called a “bastion of conservatism.” When the long-time college president died during my time there as a student, George H. W. Bush sent a note of condolence. Ann Coulter has spoken on campus. You get the gist.

So you can imagine that we have also been pretty patriarchal when it comes to male and female roles in society and church. There are certain things women are simply not free to do, and when an inquisitive child asks why, seeing that this is the 21st century and women and men are fast approaching equality in most arenas of life, he is taken to this chapter (and 1 Corinthians 14).

They [women] must study undisturbed,in full submission to God. I’m not saying that women should teach men, or try to dictate to them; rather, that they should be left undisturbed. Adam was created first, you see, and then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the women was deceived, and fell into trespass. (2:11-14)

I would like to make note of one point about the broader context of this chapter that comes out strongly when one comes to this chapter and is reading the New Testament through without any agendas, as we are doing this year, and that impacts the topic of women’s roles in ministry. Look back to 1:4-5 from yesterday. The false teachers stirred up dispute. Those influenced by their teachings likely did as well. Yet, Paul wanted Timothy to be a person of faith, love, and purity. Earlier in this chapter, Paul instructs Timothy to encourage the people to pray for their political leaders so that they “may lead a tranquil and peaceful life, in all godliness and holiness” (2:2). Men are instructed in this passage too, not just women. They are told to lift up “holy hands” in prayer, which has less to do with worship style and much more to do with a spirit between brothers and sisters in which there is “no anger or disputing” (2:8). Women are given instruction about their dress and appearance (instructions most people see as cultural, and no longer literally binding) and the most important point is that they are to be “modest and sensible,” “decent” women who are known for their good works not their fashions (2:9-10). In 2:11-12 women (or at least some specific women in the Ephesian church) are told to conduct themselves in times of worship and learning with “silence” (most translations) or they should be left “undisturbed” so they can study in peace (Wright’s translation, one that seems rather flavored by his Anglican position on female roles in ministry). Last, the chapter ends with the same phrases from chapter one:

. . . if she continues in faith, love, and holiness with prudence. (2:15)

Paying attention to the context does not crack the code on this passage as it pertains to women in ministry; I think you could make this passage support any position. What we must do is honor the Bible enough to let the main point stay the main point and not lose it in the midst of our pet issues and positions. Paul was addressing a church in the midst of dispute, a church quick to argue, who thought that argument was in fact a badge of honor. Paul couldn’t have disagreed more and he encouraged Timothy to adopt the same approach. Men were arguing. Depending on which translation you use, women were either arguing as well or were so oppressed they were not able to study without harassment. Paul’s main point is clear, though: stop arguing.